Press for performing work on metal workpieces



1964 A. w. PAYNE 3,143,008

PRESS FOR PERFORMING WORK on METAL WORKPIECES Filed Dec. 25, 1960 i s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. v Anruun W. PAwve:

ATTORNEYS Aug. 4, 1964 A. w. PAYNE 3,143,003

PRESS FOR PERFORMING WORK ON METAL WORKPIECES Filed Dec. 23. 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 22 INVENTOR.

ARTHUR Ml. Pmmc H6. 2 BY ATTORNEYS Aug. 4, 1964 w, PAYNE 3,143,008

PRESS FOR PERFORMING WORK ON METAL WORKPIECES Filed Dec. 26. 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 4

, INVENTOR. ARTHUR (M PAYN:

ATTORNEYS Aug. 4, 1964 A. w. PAYNE 3,143,008-

PRESS FOR PERFORMING WORK ON METAL WORKPIECES Filed Dec. 23. 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 16: LJUMS8 FIG. 7

' INVENTOR. Ann-ma W. PAYNE ATTORNEYS 196 A. w. PAYNE 3,143,008

PRESS FOR PERFORMING WORK ON METAL WORKPIECES Filed Dec. 23, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 WENTOR. ARTHUR PAYNE" BY 76 M, M m

ATTORNEYS United States Patent C) 3,143,008 PRESS FOR PERFORMING WORK SN 7 METAL WORKPIECES Arthur W. Payne, Rochester, Mich, assignor to Bandy Tubing Company, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed Dec. 23, 1960, Ser. No. 78,033 4 Claims. (Cl. 7817) This invention relates to a type of press generally referred to in the art as a relatively light-duty cold header. This type of press utilizes gripping jaws or dies which reciprocate to and from work-holding position and reciprocating tools which perform work on the workpiece while it is held by the dies.

conventionally, such presses utilize a single crank in conjunction with a large, heavy slow-moving fly wheel, both to reciprocate the tools and to open and close the dies or jaws. Relatively heavy, accurately machined, expensive levered linkage is required to transmit force from the crank around corners for reciprocating the dies which usually move in paths transverse to the paths of movement of the tools. This linkage and related components require expensive maintenance to keep it in condition for accurately controlling movement of the dies.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved simplified press structure which is relatively inexpensive and which is operable over long periods of time with minimal maintenance.

Generally the invention contemplates a press utilizing two cranks, one of which reciprocates the tool carrier directly through a crank arm and the other of which reciprocates a die or jaw through a crank arm which has a direct wedging interconnection with the die. This mechanism is substantially free of eccentric application of forces which would tend to distort the press components to any significant extent. The supporting frame comprises simply two spaced-apart blocks. The cranks are journaled on parallel axes on the blocks. The cranks, crank arms, tools and dies are supported between the blocks and the blocks provide guide surfaces for the movable die and tool carrier. The movable die is supported in its work-holding position by a resilient body of rubber and the guides for the movable die and tool carrier have a slight lateral clearance to facilitate selfadjustment of the movable die and tools to their proper positions relative to the workpiece.

One form of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a generally perspective View of a press according to this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged generally sectional view on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a generally sectional view on line 3-3 of FIG. 2 on a somewhat smaller scale.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the machine.

FIG. 5 is generally a sectional view on line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the parts in a different position.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary generally sectional view on line 77 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary generally side elevational view of a rear portion of the press, parts being broken away and shown in phantom to illustrate structure.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 99 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an elevational view illustrating control cams mounted on the crankshafts at one side of the machine.

FIG. 11 is an elevational view illustrating control cams mounted on the crankshafts at the other side of the machine.

Shown in the drawings is a press 20 according to this invention having a base 22 to which a pair of metal slabs or blocks 24 and 26 are anchored by such means as bolted lugs 28, 29, 30 (FIG. 9) and 31 (FIG. 1). The blocks are secured in spaced-apart generally parallel relation by such means as bolted spacers 32, 34 and 36 (FIGS. 3, 6, 9) adjacent the central and rearward portions of the blocks and by T-shaped plates 38 and 40 adjacent the forward end of the press which are bolted to the blocks as at 42-48 with their stem portions 50 and 52 respectively projecting between the plates to provide spacers. Blocks 24 and 26 provide the frame for the operating parts of the press.

A pair of jaws or dies 54 and 56 is mounted between blocks 24 and 26 adjacent the forward end of the press. .Taw 54 is anchored to spacer 52 by bolts 58 (FIG. 3) and is supported against the working force of a punch or tool T by a bar 60 having a machined face 61 bolted to the front of the frame blocks as at 62. A spacer 64 may be interposed between jaw 54 and spacer 52.

Jaw 56 is slidably movable in a vertical direction as the drawings are viewed between blocks 24 and 26 to and from work-holding relation to stationary jaw 54. The lower jaw is urged downwardly and forwardly by a compressed spring 66 acting against a threadedly adjustable flange 68 supported by a nut 70 threaded onto a bolt 72 slidable through a pivot 74 on a projecting portion 76 of T-plate 38, the bolt having an adapter 78 pivotally secured within a recess in jaw 56 by a pin 80 having a head 81 (FIG. 4) engaged against a side face of the adapter for a purpose to be described. Spring 66 re-acts against a flange member 82 which abuts against support '76. A bolted plate 84 retains jaw 56 against the forward bias of spring 60 and has a slot 86 through which adapter 78 projects.

Blocks 24 and 26 have inwardly facing flat planar surfaces 88 and 90 respectively which are machined to provide bearing surfaces for guiding the movement of jaw 56. Jaw 56 has flat planar machined side bearing surfaces 91 and 92 and carries a bronze button 93 which bears against block surface 91 under the action of a coil spring 95 compressed against pin head 81 which, through interengaged surfaces of the pin head, adapter 78 and jaw 56 holds jaw 56 against machined surfaces 88 for proper positioning relative to jaw 54 and tools T. Jaw 56 also has a machined end face 94 which slidably engages a machined bearing face 06 of retainer plate 84. Thus guide surfaces 88, 90, and 96 constrain jaw 56 to a rectilinear path of movement toward and away from jaw 54. A slight clearance is provided between side surfaces 92 of the jaw and guide surfaces 88 and 90 to facilitate self-lateral adjustment of the jaw upon engagement of its die recesses 98 (FIG. 4) with a workpiece W.

A pair of cranks 100 and 102 operate between blocks 24 and 26 and have shaft portions 101 and 103 respectively journaled within openings 104410 in the blocks, (FIG. 2) through suitable bearing structures as illustrated. The cranks are driven by an electric motor 112 on frame 22 through a belt 114 engaged with a relatively small light-weight high-speed fly wheel 116 having a shaft 118 journaled in openings 120 and 122 in blocks 24 and 26. Shaft 18 drives the cranks through reduction gearing including a pinion gear 124 on the shaft en gaged with larger gears 126 and 128 on the two crankshafts. The gearing is outside of block 26 and is protected by a cover 129.

Secured to crank 100 is a crank arm 130 having a free end 132 mounting a pair of rollers 134 and 136 positioned for engagement with convergent surfaces 138 and 140 respectively on a load-bearing rail 142 and jaw 56. Surfaces 138 and 140 are inclined to the path of movement of jaw 56 so that when the rollers are forced between them, jaw 56 is moved into work-holding position relative to jaw 54. The rail and jaw have respectively generally flat surfaces 144'and 146 extending generally normal to the path of jaw 56 and engaged by the rollers during a dwell period in which tool T works upon workpiece W. aw 56 has a surface portion 147 adjacent incline 149 which roller 136 supportingly engages when the jaws are in open relation of FIG. 6.

Rail 142 has an end 148 pivoted on frame 22 and a free'end 150 which roller 134 bears against and which is yieldably supported by a spring 152 advantageously comprising a laminate body of rubber 154 contained in pre-stressed, compressed condition between a pair of plates 155 and 156 by bolts 157 anchored on blocks 24 and 26 and adjusting nuts 15% threaded thereon. Free rail arm 150 has a rounded surface 160 which bears upon the end 162 of a vertically adjustable rod 164 threaded into a sleeve 166 depending from plate 156 and extending through central openings in rubber body 154 and plate 155.

A crank arm 168 interconnects crank 102 and a carrier 170 for tool T. The carrier slidably rests upon L- shaped ways 172 bolted to blocks 24 and 26 with their leg portions supported in recesses in the blocks as shown in FIG. 7. Another pair of L-shaped ways 174 slidably engages the upper surface 176 of carrier 170 and the legs 178 of these ways are longitudinally tapered complementally to the tapered upper walls 180 of recesses in blocks 24 and 26 into which the legs project. Ways 174 are adjustably secured in position by bolts 182 which project through clamping plates 1854 and slots 186 in the ways which are inclined parallel to recess surfaces 130. With this arrangement upper ways 174 can be vertically adjusted into sliding engagement with tool carrier 170 by shifting the upper ways longitudinally and then tightening bolts 182.

Carriage 170 has flat planar machined side bearing surfaces 188 which are slidably engaged with inwardly disposed fiat planar machined surfaces 190 and 192 of blocks 24 and 26. Preferably a slight amount of clearance is provided between these block and carrier surfaces, and between the ways and carrier, to facilitate slight lateral and vertical self-adjusting of tool T into alignment with workpiece W during the work stroke of the tool.

The particular press illustrated is adapted for performing work in two stages on the ends of tubular Workpieces which are fed laterally through the machine through front openings 194 in blocks 24 and 26. Dies 54 and 56 have two die openings and tool carrier 170 carries two tools T side by side for performing the work although only one tool appears in the elevational drawings. The workpiece feeding mechanism (not shown) may be advantageously controlled by means of cams 196402 mounted directly on the crankshafts some of which may actuate switch toggles 2G4 and others of which may be engaged with mechanical controls as at 206.

In use, when motor 112 is set into operation, cranks 100 and 102 are turned in timed relation and in the specific machine illustrated the cranks are turned in unison by gearing 124-128 so that they simultaneously reciprocate arms 130 and 168. law 56 is reciprocated between the work-holding position of FIG. 3 and its retracted position of FIG. 6 and tools T are reciprocated between their work-performing position of FIG. 3 and retracted position of FIG. 6. It may be assumed that the cranks are turning counter-clockwise as FIGS. 3 and 6 are viewed.

In the fully retracted position of crank arm 130 shown in FIG. 6, roller 136 engages surface 147 closely adjacent inclined surface 140 on jaw 56 and jaw 56 is in its lowermost position. As crank i) turns, arm 130 advances to the left as FIG. 6 is viewed and roller 136 engages surface 149 and wedgingly forces jaw 56 up? wardly against the action of spring 66. Roller 134 rolls on rail 142 up inclined surface 138 to further elevate jaw 56, which reaches its work-holding position of FIG. 3 while the rollers are still engaged with the in clined surfaces. Finally the rollers pass beyond the inclined surfaces and engage against horizontal surfaces 144 and 146. In the final advance of the rollers between the inclined surfaces, free end 150 of rail 142 is forced downwardly against rubber spring 154 as illustrated in exaggerated manner by the lowered position of plate 156 in FIG. 3. The free end of arm is supported by the free end portion of rail 142 which'is in turn resiliently supported by rubber spring 154.

With this construction, jaw 56 is yieldably supported by rubber spring 154 so that it can adjust vertically to accommodate diameter tolerances of workpieces W. Any vertical wear on the parts is taken up by spring 154. Should the feeding mechanism for workpieces W malfunction to cause a misalignment of workpieces with die openings 98, jaw 56 will elevate as far as it can against the jammed work and thereafter free end of rail 142 will simply be forced downwardly against yieldable spring 154. Thus breakage or damage to the dies is minimized or eliminated.

When crank 1% turns another arm 130 and rollers 134 and 136 are retracted between inclined surfaces 138 and 146 enabling jaw 56 to be pulled downwardly by spring 166 to the open position of FIG. 6. During reciprocation of jaw 56, tie bolt 72 slides longitudinally through its pivotal mount 74 and rocks as illustrated by the solid and broken line positions of the parts in FIG. 5.

The free end of arm 130 rocks alternately clockwise and counterclockwise as FIGS. 3 and 6 are viewed following the movement of crank 100. Rollers 134 and 136 are mounted out of interengagement to preclude frictional interlocking of the rollers and surfaces 144 and 146 which would result in a tendency of roller 136 to lever jaw 56 away from guide surface 96 upon rotation of crank 100 from the FIG. 3 position toward the FIG. 6 position.

Rotation of crank 102 reciprocates arm 168, carrier 170 and tools T between the retracted position of FIG. 6 and the advanced, working position of 3. Jaw 56 reaches its closed position before tool T reaches its working position and rollers 134 and 13,6 remain engaged respectively with horizontal surfaces 144 and 146 for a dwell period in which tool T is moved through the range in which it performs work on workpiece W.

Jaw 56 is fioatingly secured between blocks 24 and 26 in that there are no dove-tailed ways or the like which positively anchor it in position or limit its path of movement. The jaw operates against broad flat hearing surfaces 83, 90, and 96, has clearance with respect to block surfaces 88 and 9t) and is resiliently biased against surfaces 88 and 56 by springs 95 and 66 respectively. With this construction there is a minimum of wear on the bearing surfaces and the jaw can shift to adjust itself relative to workpieces W so that there is minimal wear on die openings 98. The force of crank 100 is transmitted to jaw 56 through rollers and inclines which are relatively free of wear.

Tool carrier 170 operates with clearance between relatively wear-free broad fiat bearing surfaces and 192 on blocks 24 and 26 and also operates with clearance between adjustable horizontal ways 172 and 174 so that the carriage and tools T can float or shift laterally to adjust to the tolerances of workpieces W thus further minimizing wear.

The juncture of jaw surfaces 140 and 146 is adjacent the vertical center line of jaws 54 and 5.6 so that in the final closing movement of jaw 56 where most of the force is required, there is no significant twisting moment on the jaw and for practical purposes the closing force is applied uniformly and symmetrically. Arm 130 applies force along its own axis generally symmetrically on jaw 56 and end 150 of rail 142. Similarly, carriage 170 applies work forces generally symmetrically of die-jaws 54, 56 which are firmly anchored and supported by blocks 24 and 26. The reaction forces of cranks 100 and 102 are also supported by the blocks.

Thus, contrary to a device utilizing a system of levers, bell cranks, or the like to transmit force to dies, jaws, or tools, the press of the present invention is free of eccentric application of forces which would distort components of the press (except the various springs) to any significant extent.

Relatively little power is required to operate the press: it has been found in actual use that an electric motor 112 having about three horsepower is more than adequate. The moving parts of the press are relatively simple and inexpensive. In actual use the press operates over long periods of time with little or no maintenance.

I claim:

1. A press for performing work on metal workpieces comprising,

a pair of blocks mounted side by side and having spaced apart inner surfaces which face each other and which extend in substantially parallel planes,

a first pair of substantially axially aligned openings in said blocks which open through said surfaces, and a first crank having shafts journaled in said openings,

a second pair of substantially aligned openings in said blocks which open through said surfaces, and a second crank having shafts journaled in said second openings,

the axes of said cranks being displaced from each other but being substantially parallel,

both of said cranks being rotatable within the space between said surfaces,

a tool carrier operably connected with said first crank, said tool carrier having opposite sides, each of which substantially throughout its extent lies substantially in a single plane, said sides having slidable bearing engagement against said inner surfaces of said blocks,

a pair of work-holding jaws, one of which is fixedly mounted between said inner surfaces of said blocks, said one jaw being positioned to hold work generally in the path of movement of said tool carrier,

the other of said jaws having opposite sides, each of which substantially throughout its extent lies sub stantially in a single plane, the latter-said sides having slidable bearing engagement with said inner surfaces of said blocks,

means operable responsive to turning of said second crank to reciprocate said other jaw to and from work-holding relation to said fixed jaw, the latter said means being disposed within the space between said surfaces,

and means operable to turn said cranks substantially in unison.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein means are provided which define a substantially planar third bearing surface which extends substantially perpendicularly between the surface portions of said blocks engaged by said sides of the movable jaw, said movable jaw having a third substantially planar side which is in slidable bearing engagement with said third bearing surface, said movable jaw being spring biased into engagement with said third bearing surface and in a direction away from said fixed jaw.

3. A press for performing work on metal workpieces comprising,

two relatively stationary blocks having spaced apart opposed faces,

a pair of cranks journalled on said blocks and rotatable in the space between said faces about axes which are displaced from each other but substantially parallel,

a tool carrier in said space having opposite sides which substantially throughout their extent lie in substantially single planes, said sides being in slidable bearing engagement with portions of the faces of said blocks,

a work-holding jaw mounted in said space for holding work generally in the path of movement of said tool carrier,

a movable jaw having opposite sides which substantially throughout their extent lie in substantially single planes, said sides being in slidable bearing engagement with portions of the faces of said blocks,

said face portions engaged by said sides of said tool carrier and movable jaw, each lying substantially in a single plane substantially throughout its ex tent,

means operable responsive to turning of one of said cranks to reciprocate said movable jaw to and from work-holding relation to said one jaw, the latter said means being disposed in said space between said faces,

said tool carrier being operably connected with the other of said cranks for reciprocation toward and away from said fixed jaw,

and means operable to turn said cranks in timed relation.

4. The combination defined in claim 3 wherein said face portions of each block lie substantially in the same plane.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 49,532 Kaylor Aug. 22, 1865 1,150,479 Zwiker Aug. 17, 1915 1,869,188 Eckrnan July 26, 1932 2,042,375 Abel May 26, 1936 2,569,707 Cardell Oct. 2, 1951 2,574,096 Fischer Nov. 6, 1951 2,771,009 Carroll et al Nov. 20, 1956 OTHER REFERENCES Germany, A 3420 lb/ 49h, Mar. 22, 1956. 

1. A PRESS FOR PERFORMING WORK ON METAL WORKPIECES COMPRISING, A PAIR OF BLOCKS MOUNTED SIDE BY SIDE AND HAVING SPACED APART INNER SURFACES WHICH FACE EACH OTHER AND WHICH EXTEND IN SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL PLANES, A FIRST PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY AXIALLY ALIGNED OPENINGS IN SAID BLOCKS WHICH OPEN THROUGH SAID SURFACES, AND A FIRST CRANK HAVING SHAFTS JOURNALED IN SAID OPENINGS, A SECOND PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY ALIGNED OPENINGS IN SAID BLOCKS WHICH OPEN THROUGH SAID SURFACES, AND A SECOND CRANK HAVING SHAFTS JOURNALED IN SAID SECOND OPENINGS, THE AXES OF SAID CRANKS BEING DISPLACED FROM EACH OTHER BUT BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL, BOTH OF SAID CRANKS BEING ROTATABLE WITHIN THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID SURFACES, A TOOL CARRIER OPERABLY CONNECTED WITH SAID FIRST CRANK, SAID TOOL CARRIER HAVING OPPOSITE SIDES, EACH OF WHICH SUBSTANTIALLY THROUGHOUT ITS EXTENT LIES SUBSTANTIALLY IN A SINGLE PLANE, SAID SIDES HAVING SLIDABLE BEARING ENGAGEMENT AGAINST SAID INNER SURFACES OF SAID BLOCKS, 